First US CTO Aneesh Chopra resigns from post

The first US government chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra has announced he’s leaving the job.

Chopra was hired by President Obama in April 2009 to concentrate on upgrading the nation’s technological infrastructure and to bring some much-needed IT savvy to the business of government. Previously Chopra had spent six years as Virginia's secretary of technology.

“Aneesh Chopra did groundbreaking work to bring our government into the 21st century,” said President Obama in a statement. "Aneesh found countless ways to engage the American people using technology, from electronic health records for veterans, to expanding access to broadband for rural communities, to modernizing government records. His legacy of leadership and innovation will benefit Americans for years to come, and I thank him for his outstanding service."

Chopra was a popular choice for CTO – or associate director for technology under the White House of Science and Technology Policy office, to use his full title – and his work elicited praise on both sides of the political spectrum. The Republican House Majority Leader, and representative for Virginia, Eric Cantor, paid tribute to Chopra and wished him well in a tweet.

"Just heard the news that CTO @AneeshChopra is stepping down; his work, both in Virginia and Federal, have helped advance open government."

While no formal announcement has been made, it is widely believed Chopra will be starting a new career in politics in his home state of Virginia. ®